But knowing what she knows now about the many child actors who develop substance problems later in life, does she regret putting Lindsay into 60 commercials and "Parent Trap" before she even turned 11?

"I was born into the business," Dina told The News. "My mother was an entertainer. It was natural. But yes, in the next life, I might not do it."

Lindsay, who is on probation, was arrested in the wee hours Wednesday after allegedly clipping a man's leg with a borrowed Porsche at the Dream Hotel and leaving the scene.

Alleged victim Jose Rodriguez, who was taken to a hospital, claimed Lindsay "reeked of alcohol." But police, who confronted her two hours after the accident, didn't believe she was drunk, nor did they perform Breathalyzer tests on the star, who has been in rehab five times.

The NYPD released surveillance video Thursday bolstering the hit-and-run charge, but also suggesting that Rodriguez's account of his injuries was exaggerated.

Just days before her daughter's latest legal run-in, Dina Lohan allowed drinks to be served in front of Lindsay at her 50th birthday party Saturday at Mio Posto in Hicksville, L.I. Lindsay reportedly downed vodka cocktails.

"My 80-year-old mother was there, and she's Italian-American, and to be able to have a glass of red wine there for her is normal for our family," Dina said.

"Some people who want to quit drinking do it cold turkey and some do it gradually — you want to keep a balance. I don't know what's a right way or a wrong way."

She admitted having special worries about her eldest daughter, who is struggling to get top roles again in Hollywood. "I worry about her being set up," Dina said ruefully.

She also expressed suspicions about Lindsay's 25-year-old assistant and constant companion, Gavin Doyle, who she says left the accident scene with Lindsay. Dina noted that Lindsay has gotten into even more trouble than usual this year while with Doyle, including crashing another Porsche into an 18-wheeler in California in June. Cops are still investigating to determine if the two lied about who was driving.

"I have questions about Gavin," Dina said. "There have been numerous incidents with Lindsay where he has been present. He was with her recently at [millionaire Sam Magid's] party when she was falsely accused of burglarizing jewelry. It's all very sketchy."

Dina says that at 50, she doesn't try to dress or wear her hair like look-alike daughter Lindsay, as accused. "I was born blond. God gave me what I look like. I can't change that," she observed. And she says she no longer goes mother-daughter clubbing: "I don't party with Lindsay. In the early years, I would go with her to clubs, because I wanted to see who the enablers were."

After badgering Marshall about her smoking habit, newly minted "American Idol" judge Carey was overheard talking about her new gig alongside Randy Jackson and fellow newcomers Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj. "It takes a lot of inner strength, but I like it," Carey said. "It's fun."

An insider recently told Confidenti@l, that Carey "doesn't like [Minaj], but she's not going to say she won't do the show … None of them are friends."

Also at the Peggy Siegal-hosted party, Philbin gushed about Michael Strahan, who just took over his old job at "Live!"

"I've known him for a long time," said Philbin, confessing he'd like to be one of Strahan's guests. "I like him a lot."

Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, a co-owner of Monkey Bar, said he enjoyed his recent role in the film "Arbitrage" and wouldn't mind acting more.

"I could use the work," he joked.

LANA'S SET SIZZLES

The Lana Del Rey who showed up in an angelic white dress and bombed on "SNL" in January was nowhere to be found at Wednesday's H&M party at the Wooly. Instead, a fashion-forward crowd including designers Prabal Gurung, Christian Siriano and Timo Weiland saw H&M's sexy spokeswoman deliver a fantastic three-song set dressed in a black H&M tuxedo jacket.

BABS TAKES TRIP FOR HEALTH

Barbra Streisand paired up with business magnate Ron Perelman at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital's Perelman Heart Institute to raise awareness for women's health. After a tour of the hospital, the duo joined Christine Quinn, Tamara Mellon, Grace Hightower De Niro, Star Jones, Donna Karan, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Debra Messing at the Four Seasons, where First Deputy Mayor Patti Harris announced Mayor Bloomberg's proclamation making Thursday "Women's Heart Health Day" in New York.

LOCHTE & LUTZ'S BIG ACT

Maybe Ryan Lochte should stick to swimming. After taping an episode of "90210," set to air in October, the 11-time Olympic medalist sought out "Twilight" star Kellan Lutz for acting advice. "As much as he's a brilliant swimmer, acting takes work," Lutz told Confidenti@l at Wednesday's Stride iD Gum launch. "He was like, 'Dude, I don't know how to be normal and memorize lines.' " Lutz recently took an item off his bucket list by filming "Tarzan." Says Lutz, "Growing up in the Midwest, I always wanted to be a Tarzan, He-Man or a Hercules. Now I can check one of those off."

MUSEUM-QUALITY 'HOUSEWIVES'

"The Real Housewives of New York City," didn't act particularly classy on their season five trip to St. Bart's, but that doesn't mean they can't film their season-ending reunion in a scholarly location. Confidenti@l has learned that on Thursday, the Bravo reality show taped their reunion at the American Museum of Finance at 48 Wall St. According to sources, "things got really heated" there, too, with the Caribbean trip once more being the bone of contention.

STAVROS' MAGIC BUS

You can only keep the young socialite set uptown for so long. After a lavish Brazil Foundation gala, shipping heir Stavros Niarchos chartered a party bus to take well-heeled celebrants from the Museum of Natural History to NoHo hot spot Acme. Confidenti@l rode down with a tux-and-gown crowd including Niarchos' model girlfriend, Jessica Hart, and socialite Lauren Remington Platt. Bow ties finally came undone at a late-late-night gathering in a posh Gramercy loft.

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KATY'S GPTTA WHOLE LOTTA LAVA

While Katy Perry was taking time to find herself Tuesday night, John Mayer was enjoying a bromantic evening at the Bowery Hotel with College Humor co-founder Ricky Van Veen. Mayer and van Veen, who's dating "Girls" star Allison Williams, were spotted sipping cocktails when Perry, who's been on-and-off with Mayer, tweeted a photo of herself atop a volcano with the caption: "I ate, I prayed, I climbed a volcano."

SIMON BENEFIT GETS A-TEAM

They're not kidding around with the guest list at Paul Simon and Dr. Irwin Redlener's Children's Health Fund's 25th anniversary extravaganza. In addition to performances by Simon, Sting, Stevie Wonder and Steve Martin, Confidenti@l has learned Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Spike Lee are among the A-listers who've recorded vignettes for the Oct. 4 Radio City Music Hall gala.

KIM NOT IN BLOCH PARTY

Celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch doesn't necessarily want to keep up with all the Kardashians. "I want to hang with Khloe and Kris" Jenner, Bloch told Confidenti@l at the Angelika Film Center screening of "How to Survive a Plague." What about Kim? "I'm not into … I've met Kim," he said, awkwardly trailing off with, "and I'm not, ah … ah …" Point taken.